Interchangeable Grooming Tool Assembly for Arthrogryposis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with joint conditions such as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita face difficulties in executing routine motions due to stiff and crooked joints, and existing tools are often cumbersome, not easily interchangeable, and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A tool assembly with a housing body and module base that allows for easy selection and secure attachment of multiple tool heads, such as a knife, zipper hook, scissors, or button hook, through a collar and terminus mechanism that restricts axial and rotational movement, enabling ergonomic and versatile assistance for daily activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tools are used for different tasks, then task-specific functionality is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to managing multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The housing body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different tool modules (knife, zipper hook, scissors, button hook) through a standardized interface consisting of the opening, notch, and receiver geometry, allowing one tool assembly to perform multiple functions
2Ease of operation
If tools are made interchangeable through standardized interfaces, then ease of operation improves, but reliability may worsen due to potential loosening or detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is inserted into the notch and the terminus into the receiver, creating a nested arrangement where the module base is partially received within the housing body, providing secure retention while maintaining ease of interchangeability
Solution Approach 2:
The notch and receiver are designed with asymmetric geometries that prevent rotational movement and axial displacement of the module base, ensuring the tool remains securely attached in the correct orientation while still allowing for straightforward insertion and removal
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used to prevent tool movement, then reliability improves, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in tool replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into distinct functional elements (opening, notch, receiver, collar, terminus) that work together to provide secure retention, while the overall design maintains simplicity for tool replacement
Data Source
AI summary
A tool assembly having a housing body with a top portion and a bottom portion. The tool assembly may have an axis defined by the housing body and extending through the top portion and the bottom portion, an opening defined in the housing and extending from an outer surface of the housing body towards the axis, a notch defined in the housing along the opening, and a module base having a collar. Wherein the module base is positionable within the opening and when the collar is at least partially positioned within the notch, the module base is at least partially positioned within the opening and restricted from moving axially along the axis relative to the housing body.